Articulation joint for locomotives and cars



Feb. s, 1938. J. SEIDER 2,107,841

ARTICULA'I'ION JOINT FOR LOCOMOTIVES AND cans Figed June 1, 1937 5 Sheets-Sheet l m INVENTQR: N Leo J Sender,

BY TORNEYS.

L. J. SEIDER 2,107,841

ARTICULATION JOINT FOR LOCOMOTIVES AND CARS 7 Feb. 8, 1938.

Filed June 1, 1937 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 FIG: If.

HG: m.

FIZZ-7212f.

W1 TNESSES: 52mm INVENTIOR. Leo J: Sender, V

TTORNEYS.

Patented Fees, 1938 PATENT OFFICE ARTICULATION JOINT FOR LOCOMOTIVES AND CARS Leo J. Seider, Philadelphia, Pa., assignor to The Pennsylvania Railroad Company, Philadelphia, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application June 1, 1937, Serial No. 145,692

2 Claims.

, This invention relates to the load coupling articulation of locomotive or railroad car trucks to the underframe structureof such vehicles, while it has more particular reference to a novel I form of disassemblable articulation adapted for electric locomotives.

'ly, but involves considerable work,'and it is the primary aim of the present invention to provide an articulation arrangement for locomotives and cars by the adoption of which the recited disadvantages are effectively overcome.

Another object is to furnish an articulation arrangement of the indicated character which can be expeditiously disassembled, and renewal 'of worn or damaged parts effected, without disturbing or removing the locomotive cab or car body from its supporting substructure.

Still further, this invention has for an object the provision of an articulation arrangement for locomotives and railroad cars which is at all times as dependable as it is highly efiicient in use, and wherein the articulative functions are satisfactory at all times.

With the above recited and other objects in View, this invention comprises certain novel structural features, arrangements and combinations of parts, whereby the objects contemplated are attained; all as hereinafter more fully set forth, particularly defined in the claims, and shown by the accompanying sheets of illustrative drawings.

" In said drawings:

Fig. I is a side elevation of an electric locomotive having an articulation arrangement in accordance with this invention.

Fig. II is a plan view of the articulation joint assembly broken out from the locomotive or car substructure.

Fig. III is a vertical section on the plane designated'III-III in Fig. II, and drawn to a larger scale.

Fig. 1v is a vertical section on the plane IV-IV 7 of Fig. III.

Fig. V is a vertical section. through the articulation means with the pivot ball and bearing elements thereof removed.

Fig. VI is a detail perspective view of the pivot ball-block components in expanded relation.

(ohms-) Fig. VII is a detail perspective view of a pivot or articulation ball.

Fig. VIII is an inverted perspective view of a lower bearing member forming a part of the improved articulation arrangement; and,

Fig. IX is a detail perspective View of a split, ring, hereinafter fully explained.

Referring in greater detail to the drawings, and more particularly to Fig. I, an electric locomotive of known type is comprehensively designated by the reference I0, the same being mounted on two frame units H, I2, which are conventionally connected, midway of the length of said locomotive, by the coupling means l3 of this invention, that is referred to hereinafter as an articulation-joint. As best understood from Figs. II-V, the one frame unit II has its inner ends integrally united by a transverse connection l4 embodying upper and lower apertured arms I5, l6, respectively, the former of which is fitted with an appropriate liner ll. The aperture I8 of the lower arm I6 is of much larger diameter than aperture IQ of the upper arm l5, for a purpose hereinafter set forth, and is fitted with a removable bushing 20 and liner 20, held in place by bolts 2|. ing lugs 22, having openings 22' therethrough for reception of a transverse bolt 23, the purpose of which is later on explained.

The other frame unit I2 is formed with an apertured coupler extension 24 in which are housed. a pair of opposing semi-spherically cupped-blocks 25, 26 embodying annular centering projections 21, 28, affording shoulders 29, 30, and jointly providing a substantially spherical seat for a ball member 3|. The cupped blocks 25, 26 are supported and secured in place, with capacity for easy dismantling by means of a peripherally flangedsplit ring 32 and clamp bolts 33, as clearly understandable from Fig. IV. The member 3|, as best understood from Fig. VII, is somewhat in the nature of an axially orificed ball, through the bore 34 of which the coupling pin 35 passes, said pin having a head 36 at its lower end for abutment against the confronting annular face of the bushing 20 and it is held in place against downward longitudinal movement by the transverse bolt 23, aforesaid, in an obvious manner.

Referring again to the liners H and 20, it is to be noted their upper ends are peripherally flanged at 31, 31, respectively, for socketing support in counterboresof the upper arm aperture 9, and the top portion of the bushing 20.

For the purpose of lubricating the articulation The bushing has downwardly extendjoint 13, the pin is provided at its upper end with an axial bore 38 having a central outlet 39 with radial branches 40 opening out at a slight elevation relative to the top of the ball member 3|; while the latter is provided withupper and lower circumferential grooves 4!, 32, as well as one or more downwardly directed arcual grooves 43 from its top to the first mentioned groove 4|. These provisions afford ample fiow communication for lubricant contained in the bore 38 downwardly to all of the movable parts of the articulation joint IS, in an obvious manner; while-said bore is provided with a suitable filling closure or cap 44. 45 designates a screw-threaded axial bore in the head of the coupling pin 35 for application of a suitable implement or tool for removing said pin as hereinafter explained.

From the foregoing, the operation of the improved articulation joint I3 will be self-evident, while it will be readily understood that when disassembling of said joint-becomes necessary in order to renew or readjust the ball member 3|, or the bearing blocks 25, 26, the transverse bolt 23 is first removed and the coupling pin 35 dropped-out or withdrawn by application of a suitable implement to the threaded bore 45. The bushing 29 and associated liner 20' is next allowed to drop out by removing the nuts from the lower ends of the bolts 2|, whereupon an ample opening (the bore l8 of the arm 1|6) is provided for access to the nuts of the clamp bolts 33 and removal of the split ring 32. The ball member 3| with its associated blocks 25, 26 can now be easily removed or dropped through the bore l8 aforesaid, and the necessary replacement or repairs effected, without in any way disturbing the locomotive frame units ll, 12, or the cab C, Fig. I, of said locomotive.

ported by a peripherally-flanged split ring secured to the end projection of one frame unit, spaced circumferential grooves in the ball member with intervening arcual grooves'for lubricant distribution, a sleeve sustained by the end projection of the other frame unit, a pivot pin passing through said sleeve and ball member, means included in the sleeve structure directly supporting the pivot pin against axial displacement, and said sleeve being of an external diameter such that, when the pivot pin and the sleeve are withdrawn and the split ring removed, the ball member and bearing case blocks may be released and downwardly withdrawn, or replaced, through the aperture afforded by the removal of said sleeveand split ring without disturbingjthe locomotive or car superstructure.

.2. An articulation joint as defined in claim 1,

wherein the upper end of the pivot pin is provided with an axial lubricant-storage bore hav- 7 inga central outlet with radial branches communi cating into one of the ball-bearing circumferential grooves.

V V LEO J. SEIDER. 

